For more information:
Wohlers Associates, Inc.
970-225-0086
Fax 970-225-2027
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
FORT
COLLINS, COLORADO, USA, May 5, 2010—Wohlers Associates, Inc. today
announced the publication of Wohlers Report 2010, a 250-page analysis
of the newest developments and trends in additive manufacturing (AM)
worldwide. AM is the process of joining materials to make objects from
3D model data, usually layer upon layer, as opposed to subtractive
manufacturing methodologies. Additive manufacturing is used to build
physical models, prototypes, patterns, tooling components, and
production parts in plastic, metal, ceramic, or composite materials. AM
systems use thin, horizontal cross sections from computer-aided design
(CAD) models, 3D-scanning systems, medical scanners, and video games to
produce parts that may be difficult or impossible to produce any other
way.
According to the new report, demand for products
and services from additive-manufacturing technology has been strong
over its 22-year history. The compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of
revenues produced by all products and services over this period is
26.4%. The CAGR slowed to 3.3% over the past three years, with 2009
being the slowest in many years, by far. Despite a weak 2009 overall,
unit sales were strong due to the impact of very low-cost machines
based on open-source developments. Annual unit sales of AM systems
worldwide grew by an estimated 13.9%, according to the new report.
Meanwhile, the year saw many interesting developments in the use of
additive manufacturing for the production of end-use products. “Using
AM for part production is considered the next frontier, with
opportunities beyond measure," said Terry Wohlers, principal author of
Wohlers Report 2010 and president of Wohlers Associates. "Corporations,
entrepreneurs, investors, and researchers are considering ways in which
AM can be used to manufacture an exciting array of products in
quantities of one to several thousands,” he stated.
Two relatively distinct markets are developing for products made by
additive manufacturing. One is the professional market and includes the
medical, dental, aerospace, automotive, and motorsports industries. The
other is the broad and interesting consumer market. Examples are
furniture and home accessories, toys, game avatars, and fashion
products.
The report includes new sections on open-source 3D printers and the
state of business among service providers. It also includes industry
growth estimates and forecasts, new developments and business
opportunities, emerging applications, research and development, and
where the industry is headed in the future. The study was created with
support from 54 co-authors, 64 service providers, 33 system
manufacturers, and many others worldwide. To support the review and
analysis, the report includes 28 charts and graphs, 55 tables, and 181
photographs and illustrations.
The report sells for $495 in the U.S. and all other countries. The
report’s table of contents, as well as additional information on the
market and industry, are available at wohlersassociates.com.
Wohlers Associates, Inc. is a 24-year-old independent consulting firm
that works closely with manufacturing organizations to identify the
best approaches to rapid product development and additive
manufacturing. The company has provided consulting assistance to more
than 160 organizations in 21 countries.
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The
following is the front cover of the new report.
Click on it to display a larger image.
Report
Development
Team
The
following individuals and organizations contributed to
Wohlers Report 2010
and served as important
sources for information.
Mukesh Agarwala | 3D Product Development (India) |
Nadra Angerman | Angerman Communications Group |
Seiji Hayano | Aspect (Japan) |
Paulo Jorge Bártolo | Institute Polytechnic of Leiria (Portugal) |
Joseph Beaman | University of Texas at Austin |
William Beaver | York Technical College |
Alain Bernard | Ecole Centrale de Nantes (France) |
David Bourell | University of Texas at Austin |
Tim Caffrey | Seventh Son Creative Services |
Ian Campbell | Loughborough University (England) |
Andy Christensen | Medical Modeling Inc. |
Adam Clare | University of Nottingham (England) |
Rob Connelly | FineLine Prototyping |
Deon de Beer | Vaal University of Technology (South Africa) |
Igor Drstvenšek | University of Maribor (Slovenia) |
Ismail Fidan | Tennessee Tech University |
Joe Frascati | Prototype Productions, Inc. |
Boris Fritz | Northrop Grumman |
Ping Fu | Geomagic, Inc. |
Michael Gayk | York Technical College |
Ian Gibson | National University of Singapore (Singapore) |
Tim Gornet | University of Louisville |
Andrzej Grzesiak | FhG Institute for Mfg. Eng. & Automation (Germany) |
Joan Guasch | ASCAMM (Spain) |
Tsuneo Hagiwara | CMET Inc. (Japan) |
Richard Hague | Loughborough University (England) |
Ola Harrysson | North Carolina State University |
Forrest Higgs | Brosis Innovations, Inc |
Berndt Holmer | IVF Industrial Research and Development Corp. (Sweden) |
Neil Hopkinson | Loughborough University (England) |
Luca Iuliano | Politecnico di Torino (Italy) |
Olivier Jay | Danish Technological Institute (Denmark) |
Troy Jensen | Piper Jaffray |
Jason Jones | De Montfort University (England) |
Rik Knoppers | Promolding (The Netherlands) |
Toshihiko Maeda | NTT Data Engineering Systems Corp. (Japan) |
Frank Medina | University of Texas at El Paso |
Jorge Mireles | University of Texas at El Paso |
Greg Morris | Morris Technologies |
Tom Mueller | Express Pattern |
Randall Newton | VEKTORRUM |
John Obielodan | Utah State University |
Phil Reeves | Econolyst (England) |
Pete Sayki | SICAM |
Joel Segal | University of Nottingham (England) |
Michael Siemer | Mydea Technologies |
Brent Stucker | Utah State University |
Gordon Styles | Star Prototype (China) |
James Tobin | York Technical College |
Chris Tuck | Loughborough University (England) |
Jukka Tuomi | Helsinki University of Technology (Finland) |
Jonas Van Vaerenbergh | LayerWise (Belgium) |
Ryan Wicker | University of Texas at El Paso |
David Wimpenny | De Montfort University (England) |